Brenna M. Thornton Obituary (1942

Brenna Maxine Thornton - Old Town, Maine 6/23/1942 - 10/23/2023 Brenna was born in Bangor, Maine, the only daughter of Harold and Charlotte (Crockett) Thornton. She is survived by her foster nieces Cheryl Michaud & Brenna Kablick, and her dearest friend from grade school, Jane Jipson, and Jane's daughters, Debbie Haynes Hoar and Angela Markie, who were like nieces to her. She was never married and did not have children of her own, but had many friends whom she considered her family, including Roberta Nelson Billington, and her children, Eryn Johnstone and Paul Nelson. Brenna graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a Bachelor of Science Degree in English in 1964. She was an elementary school teacher in Lincoln, Maine for 2 years before going to the Teachers' College at Columbia University in New York to obtain her Master of Arts Degree in English in 1967. She lived the majority of her life in Old Town, Maine where she began her career as an English teacher and Reading Specialist at Joseph A Leonard Junior High from 1967-1978. She became a Teaching Principal at Herbert Gray, teaching English and Reading to grades K-6 from 1978-1982 before going back to the Junior High as head of the English Department from 1982-1991. She ended her career as the Principal of the Herbert Gray & Jefferson Street Schools from 1991-2003. With over 39 years in education, Brenna retired from teaching in public schools and became an active member of the Penobscot County Retired Teachers Association, and was president for a term. Throughout her career, Brenna held many prestigious positions. She was a member of the American Association of University Women for many years and held a term as 2nd Vice President of the Orono branch. She held the positions of VP, President, and RA of the Old Town Education Association during her membership from 1973-1990, and was a member of the Old Town Administrators Association Negotiation Team from 1978-1982 and again from 1991-2003. She was the chair of special committees during her tenure, such as the Textbook Evaluation Committee, the Union 90 & Old Town In-Service Days Committee, and the Professional Staff Development Committee. In 1976, Brenna became an active member of Alpha Psi, the Maine Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an International Society for Key Women Educators. During her years of membership, she was elected by her peers to 2nd Vice President (1991-1993), 1st Vice President (1993-1995), and President of the Maine State Chapter (1995-1997). As President, she represented the chapter at the Northeast Regional Convention in Sweden, and, while there, also visited Denmark, Norway, and Iceland with her friend Rena Kearney. Brenna volunteered as the co-editor of the State Chapter's publication, Mainspring, for many years. Brenna spent her life as a leader and Christian educator in the Old Town United Methodist Church. She held many leadership positions including Superintendent of Sunday School, Finance Committee Chair, and Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee Chair. She taught Sunday School, worked with the Youth Group, and welcomed every child who entered the church doors with an open heart. She managed the church library and was solely responsible for the book selection, placing special emphasis on books for children and youth. In retirement, Brenna remained active not only in her church but also as a volunteer. She volunteered at My Friends Place, a ministry of the First United Methodist Church in Bangor, that provides programming for those with memory loss, dementia or who are socially isolated, and she received an award for over 400 volunteer hours to the organization. Brenna participated in Tres Dias of Maine, an interdenominational Christian movement focusing on the commonalities in the Christian faith. After her pilgrimage weekend, Brenna was so moved by the experience that she sponsored others to join the movement and co-hosted a Fourth Day event with her friend Janet Parker at the Old Town United Methodist Church. Brenna was an avid reader, had a tremendous book collection and enjoyed participating in the events at the Old Town Public Library and the tea parties sponsored by the Old Town Museum. She enjoyed traveling and spent some winters in Florida with her friend Jane & her husband. In her lifetime, she embarked on trips to Chicago, Belgium, England, Hawaii, Missouri, and New Orleans, taking her last vacation in 2018, with her friend Rena to Alaska. Brenna was pre-deceased by her parents, two foster sisters, Maxine Mannke and Helen Jones, her Aunt, Maude Thornton Annett, and Jane's daughter, Rebecca Dube. Brenna truly valued the friendships in her life and was a good friend to many. A celebration of her life will be held at the Old Town United Methodist Church on November 11th at 11:00 AM with refreshments following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Old Town United Methodist Church, or the Maine State Organization of DKG.